"I mean, would you advise me--"

"My good fellow, I'm waiting to advise you. (I'm sure there's something
wrong with that chair. Why be obstinate about it? Why not get another?)"

"Please don't notice the chair, Sir Patrick--you put me out. I want--in
short--perhaps it's a curious question--"

"I can't say till I have heard it," remarked Sir Patrick. "However,
we will admit it, for form's sake, if you like. Say it's a curious
question. Or let us express it more strongly, if that will help you.
Say it's the most extraordinary question that ever was put, since the
beginning of the world, from one human being to another."

"It's this!" Arnold burst out, desperately. "I want to be married!"

"That isn't a question," objected Sir Patrick. "It's an assertion. You
say, I want to be married. And I say, Just so! And there's an end of
it."

Arnold's head began to whirl. "Would you advise me to get married, Sir?"
he said, piteously. "That's what I meant."

"Oh! That's the object of the present interview, is it? Would I advise
you to marry, eh?"

(Having caught the mouse by this time, the cat lifted his paw and
let the luckless little creature breathe again. Sir Patrick's manner
suddenly freed itself from any slight signs of impatience which it might